Lead in the Home

1
Lead in the Home

• Healthy Homes Resource
• Purdue Extension
• 2005

2
Introduction

• Should you be concerned?
• Sources of Lead
• Lead Poisoning in Children
• Questions to Ask
• Action Steps for Control
• Summary

3
Should you be concerned?

• The most serious health threat for children
• Very small amounts can be harmful
• Cause Learning Problems
• Cause Behavior Problems
• Cause Hearing Problems
• Damage nervous system

4
Sources of Lead

• Old Housing (Pre 1950)
• Peeling or deteriorating paint
• Soils near heavy traffic or industry
• Water
• Pottery
• Old Mini-blinds

5
Lead Paint

• Pre 1950 Housing
• Paint prior to 1978
• Especially Risky
• Peeling Paint
• Deteriorating paint
• Chewable Surfaces
• Remodeling Activities

6
Lead in Water

• EPA estimates 10 lead intake from water
• Lead Solder
• Fixtures
• Piping
• Soft water leaches more lead than hard water

7
Health Effects of Lead

• Poison No known benefit to body
• Small doses can cause serious damage
• Child Effects
• Delayed development
• Lowered IQ
• Learning Problems
• Discipline Problems
• Adult Effects
• High Blood Pressure, anemia, kidney trouble

8
Lead and Children

• Hand to Mouth Activities
• Childrens systems absorb lead better than adults
• Childrens development more vulnerable
• Simple Blood Test for children under 6
• Begin at 6 months
• Then every year

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Questions to Ask about Lead

• How old is your Home?
• Is there Cracking, chipping, or flaking paint?
• Are there places where paint is being rubbed?
• Has your home been recently remodeled or
  renovated?

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Questions to Ask about Lead

• Is there lead in the soil outside your home?
• Does someone have a job that uses lead?
• Does someone have a hobby that uses lead?
• Have neighbor children had high blood lead tests?

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Action Steps

• Have your children tested for lead
• Find out if your home has lead
• Find out if your soil has lead
• Dont try to remove lead on your own
• Never Dry scrape or dry sane
• Dont burn or torch it

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Action Steps

• Water
• Have your water tested for lead
• Never use hot water for drinking, cooking, making
  formula
• Let water run for a few minutes each morning or
  when you have been away

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Action Steps

• Protect your Children from Lead
• Wash hands and face often
• Wipe household surfaces with soap and water once
  a week.
• Do not sweep, vacuum, or dry dust in areas of
  lead paint. Wet dust instead
• Dont let children chew or put their mouths on
  windowsills
• Feed your children a healthy diet

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Lead in the Home Summary

• Low levels cause harm with no symptoms
• Young children especially at risk
• Low doses affect brain, learning and behavior
• Older homes (pre 1950) likely have lead
• Never sand, scrape or burn old paint
• 10 of lead exposure may come from water
• Work to prevent lead exposure

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The End

• Questions?????
• Prepared by Catherine E. Burwell, PhD, and
• Kendra Freeman
• Purdue Cooperative Extension Service
• 2005.